Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Cyclospora,Cyclospora,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 9, 2026
Cyclospora outbreaks are not all that common. But they do happen. With the current Cyclospora outbreak looming with over a thousand total cases across the United States sometimes looking at the past can help us understand the present. What kind of foods are commonly associated with Cyclospora outbreaks? Are sourcces often uncovered? Where are these foods grown? How large do these outbreaks get?
Follow along as we dive into a history of Cyclospora outbreaks! But first, let’s talk about how long outbreaks like this one have been tracked.
Cyclospora outbreaks have been tracked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with information readily available since the inception of FoodNet in 1995. In fact, the agency investigated two Cyclospora outbreaks that year!
Prior to that, various health and safety agencies investigated illnesses and had their own recording devices since the early 1900’s. However, mainstream availability of data and public notice did not occur until later in the century. With the Internet, anyone can find this information. I have gathered it here for you today.
In the Summer of 1995, there were two fruit-centric outbreaks. One involving raspberries from Guatamala that caused 38 illnesses. Most of which came from the state of Florida. The other, an unknown fruit from an undetermined country of origin involving 32 cases. Most coming from New York.
Another two Cyclospora outbreaks occurred in the Summer of 1997. A large one that sickened at least 305 people (most in Florida) involving Mesclun lettuce from Puru and the U.S. Another that sickened 21 people from contaminated fruit plates (most illnesses in Virginia).
In 1998, at least 17 people (mostly in Georgia) became sick with Cyclospora infections. That outbreak was traced back to fruit salad. However, the specific component and country of origin were not uncovered.
Fruit, most likely raspberries, sickened 94 people in 1999. Most illnesses came from Florida. No country of origin was revealed in this outbreak.
In the Summer of 2000, another fruit-centric outbreak was discovered. At least 19 people who consumed raspberries and/or blackberries from Guatemala fell sick. Most from Georgia.
Two Cyclospora outbreaks involving basil sickened a combined 622 people. The largest one in April 2025 impacting 592 people (mostly in Florida). The other with 30 illnesses (mostly in Connecticut) that June.
Two separate Cyclospora outbreaks hit the United States in 2008. One in March (mostly affecting Wisconsin) with at least four illnesses connected to sugar snap peas from Guatemala. Another 45 in California linked to raspberries and/or blackberries.
In 2013, two Cyclospora outbreaks impacted the Summer. One involving Cilantro from Mexico that sickened 270 people (mostly in Texas). The other sickened eight people (mostly in Wisconsin) who ate a berry salad.
Leafy greens were responsible for Cyclospora outbreaks in 2014. A multistate outbreak spanning 25 states that Summer involving romaine lettuce from Mexico. That outbreak sickened at least 631 people. Another later in the Summer involving fresh cilantro from Mexico that sickened 304 people across 19 states.
In 2015, a multistate outbreak spanning 31 states was traced back to fresh cilantro from Mexico. At least 546 people were sickened that May.
After two years of no Cyclospora outbreaks, the pathogen was connected to four separate outbreaks in 2018.
The first involved vegetable trays that sickened at least 250 people in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa. About the same time, salad mixes from Illinois sickened at least 511 people across 16 states. Then in June, basil was linked to at least eight illnesses across two states. Cilantro from Mexican-style restaurants was in the news again as well. This time sickening 53 people.
The largest, however, happened in the Summer of 2019. This one sickened 2,408 people across 37 states and the District of Columbia. This outbreak was linked to basil from Mexico.
The second largest Cyclospora outbreak took place in July 2021 with 1301 connected illnesses. This one, and another in August connected to 401 illnesses did not have a confirmed food vehicle.
Two other Cyclospora outbreaks in 2022 also did not have a confirmed food vehicle. One with 84 confirmed cases. The other with 43.
Of the four Cyclospora outbreaks in 2023, only one had a confirmed food vehicle. An outbreak involving 20 people that May was linked to broccoli. The others, with 59, 72, and 140 illnesses was never connected to a specific food.
Both outbreaks in 2024 were connected to a food vehicle. One involving shrimp salad that sickened 61 people. The other, imported parsley, that sickened 49 people.
In 2025, two outbreaks sickened over a hundred people. One in July that sickened 48 with no known source. The other with 69 illnesses linked to parsley.
So far, 2026 has been quite active. Two Cyclospora outbreaks are listed on the FDA Foodborne Illness Outbreak table. Both posted in June with 8 illnesses attributed to one and two attributed to the other. However, Cyclospora surveillance data indicates that at least 145 cases have been reported as of July 1.
A statistic we know is very low, considering that Michigan (not included in the current CDC data) has nearly 1000 cases on their own.
No food vehicle has been identified so far.
Looking at the compiled data, history tells us a few things.
First, most Cyclospora outbreaks take place in the Summer. In fact, all historical Cyclospora outbreaks I could find took place between May and September.
Next, leafy greens and berries are especially common in Cyclospora outbreaks. Mostly basil and cilantro as well as raspberries and blackberries.
Finally, not all Cyclospora outbreaks have been connected to a food vehicle. Unfortunately, sometimes the source is too broad, not enough information is available, or perhaps too much information to narrow down a common source. Hopefully that is not the case in this outbreak.
If you have been significantly impacted by a Cyclospora infection, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Cyclospora Lawyer that can help!
You want experienced representation, skilled at handling cases just like yours. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully recovered millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases, and they can help you too.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for your free, no obligation consultation. Get answers today!
By: Heather Can Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)